Beer For Hair: Here's How To Use Beer To Get Healthy, Soft, Shiny Hair

Beer is a much-loved alcoholic beverage that we all perhaps associate with fun times with friends, loud parties and shiny memories on hot summer days. However, did you know that beer is much more than just a companion for hangouts and parties, and can, in fact, benefit you in a number of ways? Apart from the obvious benefit of helping in stress relief, beers may have a number of other health and beauty benefits too, which many of you may be unaware of. A 2000 study conducted by Guy’s Hospital in London, said that drinking darker beers may help improve the quality of your skin, as they are rich in antioxidants. This is due to the presence of ferulic acid present in barley, which is used in making beers. According to the study, this acid is more easily absorbed by the body from beer, making it somewhat of a beauty potion.

However, beer is not just good for the skin, but it may benefit your hair as well. Beer is used by a number of people in making shampoos, and de-carbonated beers are also used as conditioners to help repair damaged hair and reinvigorate the volume of your hair.

Beer For Hair: How To Use It As A Conditioner
Hollywood actor, Catherine Zeta Jones in 2009 had revealed that she used beer and honey to condition her beautiful black mane, which is quite an unusual 'home remedy'. Since then, thousands of beauty experts and bloggers have tried and denounced this hair washing regimen, saying that beer does, in fact, improve the quality of their hair, but not substantially enough for them to waste whole bottles of the bubbly beverage on their hair.

On the other hand, a number of brands have cashed in on the trend and launched products with beer in them, claiming to give you softer, glossier and voluminous hair. The hops used in the preparation of beer are said to contain silica, which may help in strengthening hair follicles and promoting growth too. So, if you have been intrigued by what effect beer is going to have on your hair and want to try this unusual treatment out, we can help you out by telling you exactly how to go about it.

Here Is A Step-By-Step Guide To Do The Beer Rinse At Home:
1. Take a can or a bottle of beer and pour it out into a bowl or a jug. Leave this poured beer out into the open and let it sit for some time. When the beer has been de-carbonated or has turned 'flat', transfer it into a spare container and keep it in the bathroom to use it while you wash your hair. It's very important that only flat beer has been used in rinsing, as the carbon dioxide in the beer can combine with water and turn it to hard water, which will hamper the cleansing action of the shampoo, making it hard for you to clean your hair.

2. Use your regular shampoo to clean your hair and instead of using your favoured conditioner, reach for that container of flat beer. Pour the beer directly onto your hair and slowly massage it into the roots of your hair for about one minute. The minerals in beer are said to be beneficial for the skin on your scalp as well. This is, particularly, helpful if you have an oily scalp. Leave the beer on for a few minutes.

3. Rinse the beer off with cold water. Don't worry if some of the beer is left behind on the scalp, as it is considered to be beneficial for the hair. Use it only once or twice a week, as too much use of beer on your hair may lead to dryness of scalp and dandruff.

Tip: If you want to enhance the abilities of your beer conditioner, you can add a number of other hair-friendly ingredients to it before using it for rinsing. Some people add natural ingredients like honey, apple cider vinegar, or egg, as well as natural oils like chamomile oil, jojoba oil, etc, to the flat beer to enhance its conditioning abilities.

So, now you know! If you suffer from excessive hair breakage, hair fall, dandruff or other chronic hair problems, it's better to keep away from this beer treatment, as in these cases medicated conditioners may be the best. It's advisable to consult a noted dermatologist before modifying your hair care routine.

Got A Case Of Dandruff And Itchy Scalp? All You Need Is Ginger To Control It!

Ginger, or adrak, is one spice that all Indians, or rather Asians, are very well aware of. The flavour-enhancing root spice is added to a number of curries, drinks and even sweets. The warm and zingy-tasting ginger is a part of a number of our home remedies for digestive troubles, as well as for cold and cough. The active compound in ginger, gingerol has analgesic (pain-relieving), sedative (sleep-inducing), antipyretic (anti-fever) and antibacterial properties. This makes ginger a good remedy for a whole range of problems. Ginger is also good for fighting inflammation in the body, due to the presence of antioxidant zingerone in it. This is why ginger is able to boost immunity and enhance skin quality as well. But, did you know that you can even fight scalp infections and dandruff using ginger?

Ginger is indeed a great beauty ingredient as well. Ginger juice can be added to face and hair masks to fight skin and scalp infections, due to its anti-bacterial or anti-microbial abilities. Ginger juice can restore health to your scalp and may even help in dealing with itchy scalp and dandruff. Some people even use ginger juice to control hair fall, as dandruff is considered a leading cause for hair fall. However, the role of ginger is preventing hair fall has only been proven by anecdotal evidence. It can most certainly help you dealing with dandruff. Here's how to use it to regain a healthy and happy skin on your scalp.

Ginger Hair Mask For Dandruff And Itchy Scalp
How to make ginger hair mask for dandruff and itchy scalp:
1. Take a fresh ginger root and slice it into pieces using a sharp knife or grate it.

2. Add sliced or grated ginger to some water and set it boil on a low flame. Slowly the colour of the water will start to change and after a few minutes it will turn slightly muddy or translucent yellow.

3. Take the water off the flame and filter it out using a fine sieve.

4. Press the residual ginger collected over the sieve to drain out the maximum juice into the container.

5. Allow the water to cool down. You can either pour this juice into a tiny spray bottle and spray it onto your scalp directly or mix it with an oil carrier and then apply the oil to your scalp.

Allow the mask to sit on your scalp for half an hour and then rinse it off with a gentle anti-dandruff shampoo. You can treat your scalp to the ginger juice or ginger juice mixture about once a week, in order to deal with dandruff and itchy scalp. The latter is the indication of bacterial growth and you may have it checked by a dermatologist before trying to treat it yourself. Besides this hair mask, regular oiling and massage is also important to treat dandruff.

Baldness

What is Baldness?
There are on an average 100,000 to 150,000 hairs on the human scalp. Hairs grow from follicles that are sac
like structures under the skin. At any time 90% of the hair are in the growth phase, which lasts an average of
4 to 5 years, after which it enters the resting phase, which lasts for 2 to 4 months. At the end of the resting
phase, the hair falls out naturally and is replaced by a new hair. Some hair loss, 50 to 150 per day, is normal.
Baldness or alopecia results when hair loss occurs at an abnormally high rate, replacement occurs at an
abnormally slow rate or when normal hairs are replaced by thinner, shorter ones.
What are the causes of Baldness?
Heredity and aging. Hormonal changes. A serious illness or fever. Medication such as cancer chemotherapy
or too much Vitamin A. Emotional or physical stress. A self-induced reduction of hair by pulling it out
(traction alopecia). Poor nutrition. Disease. Childbirth. Scalp Infection. Hair Treatments and use of
chemicals.
What are the types?
Androgenic alopecia also known as male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss. It occurs
more frequently in men than in women. It is a permanent type of hair loss and occurs in a characteristic
pattern on the scalp. The hair loss begins at the temples and at the top of the head towards the back, causing a
receding hairline and a bald spot. Balding may begin at any age after puberty and can range from partial loss
to complete baldness. Hormonal imbalance, mainly testosterone, and genetic factors are responsible for this
type of hair loss. Alopecia areata leads to patchy hair loss on the scalp. The exact cause is not known, but it
is thought to be the result of the body’s immune system attacking the hair follicles. Traction alopecia is
caused due to long-term pulling on the hair. This is caused by certain hairstyles, such as tight braids. The hair
loss is usually reversible once the cause of the pulling is eliminated.
How to diagnose Baldness
The doctor first asks if there is a family history of baldness. He may also examine a few hairs under a
microscope or check the scalp for signs of skin damage. Other questions related to the person’s diet, hair-care
procedures, medications taken and recent illness, if any, may be asked. In some cases the doctor may order
blood tests or a skin biopsy to help make a diagnosis.
What is the treatment of Baldness?
Hair transplantationThis involves the transplantation of hair follicles from areas of the scalp where hair is
still growing to areas where it is not. This carries a low risk for skin infections and may cause minor scarring
in the donor areas. Local application of drugsA drug called minoxidil, when applied to thinning areas of the
scalp daily, is believed to be effective in preventing further hair loss and in growing new hair. The drug helps
in dilating the blood vessels, thereby affecting the blood supply and the supply of hormones to those areas of
the scalp that are losing hair. Another drug called finasteride taken in a pill form daily, helps in preventing
further hair loss in most cases and growing new hair in some cases. The use of such drugs may help to
reduce hair fall but it is generally seen that when the application is stopped, regrown hair fall out. Side
effects such as irritation of the scalp are also quite common. Corticosteroids: Injections of cortisone into the
scalp can treat alopecia areata. Treatment is usually repeated monthly. Doctors sometimes prescribe
corticosteroid pills for extensive hair loss due to alopecia areata. Cosmetic treatments Synthetic hair: A
hairpiece can be custom made to cover a balding area. It is important not to neglect the scalp under the
hairpiece, which should continue to be washed regularly.

Alopecia/Hair loss

Alopecia/Hair loss
Hair loss can affect just your scalp or your entire body. It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or medications. Anyone can experience hair loss, but it's more common in men.

Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp. Hereditary hair loss with age is the most common cause of baldness. Some people prefer to let their hair loss run its course untreated and unhidden. Others may cover it up with hairstyles, makeup, hats or scarves. And still others choose one of the treatments available to prevent further hair loss and to restore growth. Before pursuing hair loss treatment, talk with your doctor about the cause of your hair loss and treatment options.

Symptoms:
Hair loss can appear in many different ways, depending on what's causing it. It can come on suddenly or gradually and affect just your scalp or your whole body. Some types of hair loss are temporary, and others are permanent.

Signs and symptoms of hair loss may include:
Gradual thinning on top of head: This is the most common type of hair loss, affecting both men and women as they age. In men, hair often begins to recede from the forehead in a line that resembles the letter M. Women typically retain the hairline on the forehead but have a broadening of the part in their hair.

Circular or patchy bald spots: Some people experience smooth, coin-sized bald spots. This type of hair loss usually affects just the scalp, but it sometimes also occurs in beards or eyebrows. In some cases, your skin may become itchy or painful before the hair falls out.

Sudden loosening of hair: A physical or emotional shock can cause hair to loosen. Handfuls of hair may come out when combing or washing your hair or even after gentle tugging. This type of hair loss usually causes overall hair thinning and not bald patches.

Full-body hair loss: Some conditions and medical treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer, can result in the loss of hair all over your body. The hair usually grows back.

Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp. This is a sign of ringworm. It may be accompanied by broken hair, redness, swelling and, at times, oozing.

When to see a doctor?
See your doctor if your child or you are distressed by hair loss and want to pursue treatment. Also talk to your doctor if you notice sudden or patchy hair loss or more than usual hair loss when combing or washing your or your child's hair. Sudden hair loss can signal an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.

What causes hair loss?
People typically lose about 100 hairs a day. This usually doesn't cause noticeable thinning of scalp hair because new hair is growing in at the same time. Hair loss occurs when this cycle of hair growth and shedding is disrupted or when the hair follicle is destroyed and replaced with scar tissue.

Hair loss is typically related to one or more of the following factors:
Family history (heredity): The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition called male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness. It usually occurs gradually with aging and in predictable patterns — a receding hairline and bald spots in men and thinning hair in women.

Hormonal changes and medical conditions: A variety of conditions can cause permanent or temporary hair loss, including hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and thyroid problems. Medical conditions include alopecia areata (al-o-PEE-she-uh ar-e-A-tuh), which causes patchy hair loss, scalp infections such as ringworm and a hair-pulling disorder called trichotillomania (trik-o-til-o-MAY-nee-uh).

Medications and supplements: Hair loss can be a side effect of certain drugs, such as those used for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout and high blood pressure.

Radiation therapy to the head: The hair may not grow back the same as it was before.

A very stressful event: Many people experience a general thinning of hair several months after a physical or emotional shock. This type of hair loss is temporary.

Certain hairstyles and treatments: Excessive hairstyling or hairstyles that pull your hair tight, such as pigtails or cornrows, can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. Hot oil hair treatments and permanents can cause inflammation of hair follicles that leads to hair loss. If scarring occurs, hair loss could be permanent.
Risk factors

A number of factors can increase your risk of hair loss, including:

Family history of balding, in either of your parent's families
Age
Significant weight loss
Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and lupus
Stress
Prevention
Most baldness is caused by genetics (male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness). This type of hair loss is not preventable.

Below tips may help you avoid preventable types of hair loss:
Avoid tight hairstyles, such as braids, buns or ponytails.
Avoid compulsively twisting, rubbing or pulling your hair.
Treat your hair gently when washing and brushing. A wide-toothed comb may help prevent pulling out hair.
Avoid harsh treatments such as hot rollers, curling irons, hot oil treatments and permanents.
Avoid medications and supplements that could cause hair loss.
Protect your hair from sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet light.
Stop smoking. Some studies show an association between smoking and baldness in men.
If you are being treated with chemotherapy, ask your doctor about a cooling cap. This cap can reduce your risk of losing hair during chemotherapy.

Hair Loss: 3 Simple Home Remedies To Prevent Hair Thinning

Hair thinning can turn out to be quite daunting and painful; thanks to the increasing level of pollution, stress and poor quality of water. Not only this, thinning of hair can happen due to various other factors like sedentary lifestyle, nutritional deficiencies, allergies, hormonal imbalances, poor hair care, and genetics. According to experts, many people are facing hair-related problems like hair loss and hair thinning, which are at an all-time high. But fret not; there are foods that may help you increase your hair volume naturally. And the best part is that they are right there in your kitchen.

Home Remedies For Hair Thinning

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is packed with proteolytic enzymes, which are known to repair dead skin cells on the scalp. It helps stimulate hair growth from dormant hair follicles, increasing hair volume. It also acts as a great conditioner and leaves your hair all smooth and shiny. It not only promotes hair growth, but also prevents itching on the scalp and reduces dandruff. Oral consumption of aloe vera juice helps maintain smooth, radiant skin and promotes hair growth too.

How To Use Aloe Vera To Prevent Hair Thinning

- Slice aloe vera leaf with a knife and extract about 2 teaspoons of aloe vera gel from its leaf.
- Whisk the gel till you get a smooth consistency.
- Now, massage the gel into your scalp with your fingertips.
- Massage it for about 5-7 minutes; leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse it out with warm water.

2. Eggs

Eggs are considered to be great for hair growth and thickness. They are loaded with essential nutrients such as proteins, vitamin B12, iron, zinc and omega-6 fatty acids. This home remedy is used to accelerate hair growth and volume.

How To Use Egg To Prevent Hair Thinning

- Take a bowl and add one egg along with one tablespoon of olive oil. You may use coconut oil too for this mask.
- Stir the mixture till you get a smooth mixture.
- Now, apply the mixture to your hair and scalp, working it in from the roots to the tips.
- Leave it on for about 30 minutes.
- Wash your hair with shampoo and cool water. Make sure you don't use warm water to wash your hair.

3. Amla (Indian Gooseberry)

Amla is nutrient-dense and has a lot of health-benefiting properties. Applying it or even drinking it may make your hair thicker and bouncier. Amla is rich in vitamin C, which is assisted by various minerals, nutrients, amino acids, and antioxidants, etc. that help amla in fighting against all the hair weakening factors.

How To Use Amla To Prevent Hair Thinning

In a bowl, add 2 teaspoon amla powder and lime juice and mix the two ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
Now, apply the mixture to your hair and scalp, working it in from the roots to the tips.
Leave it on until it dries up.
Wash it off with a shampoo and cool water. You may also use conditioner post washing your hair.

Whether you eat them, drink them or simply apply them, these foods can do wonders for your hair and the results can be seen so quickly that you wouldn't want to let go of it!